iPlayer review by Steve Bennett

JPD is the only one of this year's batch of Comedy Feeds that's a sketch format, rather than a sitcom pilot befitting the BBC's current celebration of the narrative genre.

The 15-minute taster takes its name, boyband-style from the initials of its writer-performers Joivan Wade, Percale Ascott and Dee Kaate, who are already prolific creators of online sketches under their collective name of Mandem on The Wall. Neil Webster, who wrote the Bradley Walsh BBC One vehicle Sun Trap, also helped them write it. 

Aside from BBC production values, the show doesn't mark a great leap forward from what they, and many other youngsters, are making across the internet. The premises always have a germ of an easy-to-grasp idea, but they tend not to be given much misdirection or development, playing out like a first draft without too much surprise.

Many of the set-ups are based on first-world, tech-based problems of the millennial generation. There's an R&B song about finding a wi-fi signal; a scene built around the crushing embarrassment of accidentally liking a photo of someone you're stalking on Facebook; and a spoof charity appeal (that old format chestnut) about a debilitating illness caused by taking too many selfies. Tellingly, these are the very three sketches the BBC have released separately on YouTube; as there's nothing more people like doing online than watching sketches about being online... Well almost nothing: there's the second 'wanking on the toilet' scene of these Feeds here. 

There's a simplicity to the ideas which makes them an easy sell but difficult to do much with: an Awkward Moment Helpline, or a guy from a Peckham estate called Ade who believes he has special powers so gives himself the superhero name Black Man. There's some enjoyable slapstick as he tries to change into his outfit, but predictably he's felled with one punch.

The trio are clearly enthusiastic, and make very engaging performers with the sort of authenticity the internet loves. But JPD seems more like an encouragement than a potential series – even if a young, black-led sketch show would be a much-needed addition to the BBC's output. For it feels they need to stretch their writing muscles a lot more than this to hit a wider audience.

Also, you have to wonder just how many people are watching these Feeds. This one has been on iPlayer for a week, and no one seems to have noticed that the Beeb has accidentally uploaded a version that contains extraneous rough-cut production clips after the final credits close. 

• JPD is one of the BBC Three Comedy Feeds released on iPlayer as part of the BBC’s Landmark Sitcom season. Click here to view.

Review date: 9 Sep 2016
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett